REIGNING Myanmar League champion Customs successfully retained their title by defeating Defense 2-1 at Yangon’s Thuwunna Stadium on March 20.
The title defence came as no surprise. Customs have dominated the Myanmar League for many seasons, the win making them champions for the sixth consecutive time.

But this season was more competitive than in recent years, with Customs facing stiff opposition from the other league powerhouses, Commerce and Kanbawza. Last year Customs wrapped up the season with half a dozen matches remaining.

The competition was still alive going into the final round – with Customs and Kanbawza, both on 29 points, and Commerce, on 26, all potential champions.
A Customs loss against Defense would have left the door open for Commerce or Kanbawza to snatch the championship on goal difference, depending on the result of Commerce’s final match next week against YCDC.

Up until several weeks ago the final standings had been just as uncertain. Customs had the tougher run home but win 3-2 against Commerce and a 1-0 victory over Kanbawza 1-0 put them in the box seat. The only thing overshadowing the title win was the five point penalty Commerce received for walking off the pitch in the Opening Cup final – without this handicap they would have finished on top.

But Customs’ 2-1 win against Defense was enough to get them over the line. Before the match Customs made several changes to their lineup bringing in some older heads to match an Defense side comprised mostly of thirtysomethings.

The changes appeared to work. Customs dominated the first half, producing 12 shots on target, while Defense sat back and soaked up the pressure, occasionally counter attacking but never really threatening the Customs goal.
Defense keeper Tun Tun Latt was his side’s saviour in the opening period, making three fine saves.

The Customs assault began with midfielder Kyaw Kyaw Khaing, whose 10th minute shot from close range was narrowly off target.

Captain Soe Myat Min also nearly opened the scoring, his 30th minute header beat the keeper but rolled agonisingly wide of the post.

The deadlock was broken just two minutes into the second half. Yan Paing masterfully controlled the ball and skipped past three defenders and had the composure to finish the move with a shot through the keeper’s legs.

Defense almost hit back just a minute later but Htun Min Naing close range shot flew just wide.

This seemed to break Defense’s spirit and all pace went out of the game. The match came alive again when the referee awarded an inexplicable free kick to Customs after a Defense player, closing in on goal, was hacked down by a crude Customs challenge, incensing the Defense side.

Customs finally extended their lead on 70 minutes when midfielder Htun Htun Win played a sublime cross field pass that put Aung Htun Linn one on one with keeper Tun Tun Latt, the Customs winger making no mistake producing a perfect finish.

Defense managed to pull one back on 86 minutes when midfielder Aung Ko Win, who had been good all day, neatly passed two defenders and fooled the Customs keeper with a clever finish.

At the other end of the table, Army has already been relegated to the First Division going into the last round. Forestry, on 10 points, can escape the drop if they win their final match against Energy, a result that will see Royal Eleven FC, on 12 points, relegated instead.